A whopping three out of seven nominees are competing without their series being on the ballot: Connie Britton (Nashville), Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) and Kerry Washington (Scandal). By contrast, Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss also has Top of the Lake up for best miniseries/movie.

SUR-REALITY HOST CONTEST

Four-time winner Jeff Probst (Survivor) was snubbed again this year, making room for two rather surprising entries: Betty White, whose NBC hidden-camera series Betty White's Off Their Rockers was canceled July 11, and Anthony Bourdain, who broke through for the least acclaimed of his many foodie series, ABC's The Taste.

Eric Stonestreet has won best supporting comedy actor twice for playing Modern Family'sCam, but that shouldn't preclude him from a fourth nom, right? The actor was the only adult Family star snubbed this year -- the first time this has happened to the ABC show, which has won the category three times.

HOUSEOF MADWRITERS

After dominating the drama writing category last year with three noms, AMC's Mad Men was totally shut out -- as was Netflix newbie House of Cards -- despite both being feted with drama series nominations.

VARIETY SERIES CONUNDRUM

After an Emmy campaign featuring James Carville, IFC's Portlandia scored a variety series writing nom but not one for series. Conversely, Jimmy Fallon earned a variety series nom -- but no nom for writing. Do voters think those slow jams write themselves?